Santa Coming To Victorian Holiday Party In Burlington County

In about a week, Santa Claus will arrive in Burlington County. He’s bringing Mrs. Claus with him, and they will be welcomed by The Grinch and Scrooge. Burlington County’s annual Victorian Holiday Celebration is set for Sunday, Dec. 3, at Historic Smithville Park in Eastampton, noon-4 p.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive by horse and carriage at 1 p.m.

Mrs. Claus will tell stories about Santa, and there will be plenty of chances for the family to capture the perfect photo for holiday cards. There will also be train and carriage rides and other holiday activities.

Additional festivities will include ice carving demonstrations, live reindeer, holiday train and carriage rides, live entertainment and much more. Visitors will also be able to shop for the holidays from a variety of vendors at the Holiday Marketplace. Admission and parking are free.

“This holiday celebration is a great opportunity for families to celebrate the season at Historic Smithville Park,” Freeholder Linda Hughes, liaison to the Burlington County Department of Resource Conservation, said. “There is something for everyone to enjoy at this annual event. I encourage everyone to come out and take part in this great county event and all of the seasonal activities offered.”

This year’s theme is a Victorian Christmas during Queen Victoria’s reign in the mid 1800s. In line with the theme, visitors are invited to take a free tour of the Historic Smithville Mansion, lavishly decorated for the holidays in a grand Victorian style.

There is a nominal fee to tour the mansion. Proceeds from the tour benefit the Friends of the Mansion at Smithville, a non-profit group dedicated to preserving, restoring, and furnishing Smithville Mansion.
Smithville’s free galleries and museums will also be open throughout the event.

The annual holiday art exhibit will feature winter and holiday themed pieces from local artists. The exhibit will open during the Victorian Holiday Celebration and remain open through the month of December.

Visitors are encouraged to bring new unwrapped gifts to the event to donate to the Burlington County Sheriff’s Department’s annual Holiday Toy Drive.

Historic Smithville Park is located at 803 Smithville Road in Eastampton. For more information, call 609-265-5858 or visit the Burlington County Parks website at www.co.burlington.nj.us/parks.

Patch file photo